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Positive game time for Glory squad

A depleted Perth Glory outfit has been narrowly beaten away from home in a pre-season friendly against last season’s Hyundai A-League grand finalists Adelaide United.

A depleted Perth Glory outfit has been narrowly beaten away from home in a pre-season friendly against last season-s Hyundai A-League grand finalists Adelaide United.

The Glory, who went into the match with nine senior players unavailable, including key off-season recruits Andy Todd, Branko Jelic, and Socceroos pair Jacob Burns and Mile Sterjovski, put up a strong showing in the South Australian capital, with only a 25th minute strike from Reds skipper Travis Dodd separating the teams.

Coach Dave Mitchell said his young squad, which featured three first year players and a trialist in the starting eleven, plus three youth team players on the bench, performed well but were left to rue a slow start.

“Adelaide came out strong from the start of the game, that was to be expected from a team that has spent a fair bit of time together. We just took our time getting up to speed and that was the main difference between the sides,” Mitchell said.

“The goal was well worked and reward for Adelaide-s dominance in the opening period however I was pleased with how our lads regrouped and it was an even second half with chances for both sides.”

Versatile Perth SC player Todd Howarth, who is on trial with Glory, started the match and performed well throughout his 90 minutes at left back. The 27 year old, who can play in the midfield or down back, combined well with his fellow defenders to repel the home side-s advances.

Perth-s three youth team players all gained valuable match time in the second half and again proved the depth of talent in West Australian football.

In a late change Frank Juric suited up as Glory-s substitute goal keeper after the necessary paperwork from Aleks Vrteski-s former club failed to arrive in time for the ‘officially sanctioned- match.

It was Perth Glory-s first pre-season clash against Hyundai A-League opposition and served as a warm-up to the club-s international meetings with Wolverhampton Wanderers (Friday, July 10) and Fulham (Wednesday, 15 July) at Members Equity Stadium.

The club-s new signings are expected to join their Glory team mates in the next week and will add significant experience to the side ahead of the games against English Premier League opposition.